NY dioceses file suit against abortion insurance mandate

Joined by conservative Episcopalian, Lutheran, and Baptist bodies, two dioceses in New York State—the Diocese of Albany and the Diocese of Ogdensburg—have filed suit against the New York State Department of Financial Services over “model language” requiring health insurance plans to cover abortions.

“The Department of Financial Services, without any authority by the legislature, has taken it upon itself to force religious organizations and individuals with strong conscientious objection to abortion to fund this procedure which, in every case, kills a developing unique human person,” said Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany.

“I am proud to stand with my brothers and sisters in an ecumenical expression of unity in challenging this unconstitutional infringement on religious faith and practice,” he added.